The Bold and the Beautiful, television's highly rated daytime drama, has signed actor Brian Gaskill to a contract role on the series. In the storyline, Brian will play a fascinating new character with ties to the world of Las Vegas gambling and related to shipping magnate Massimo Marone.

"With Brian Gaskill joining the show, the Marone family is now complete," said Bradley Bell, executive producer and head writer. "Brian has a natural ability that I've admired for years. I am so pleased to have him aboard."

Gaskill began his television career as a series regular in the short-lived series Models, Inc. followed by the role of Bobby Warner on All My Children, where he was recognized as Best Younger Actor by Daytime TV Magazine in 1997 and nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Award. Brian has also guest-starred on numerous primetime series including ?Undressed," Clueless, The Pretender and Diagnosis Murder.

Gaskill has also appeared in a supporting role in the feature film The Broken Hearts Club, and a lead role in the critically acclaimed short film "Higher Grounds opposite Ann Cusack.

Trained in the theater, Gaskill appeared in numerous plays in the New York/New Jersey theater circuit and co-founded the Rorschach Theater Company in New York City where he served as Producing Director.

On his new role on B&B, Gaskill states: "There are many personal and career reasons why I chose to join The Bold and the Beautiful. Mostly, I am excited about working with new people and a new character that veers dramatically from Rafe on Port Charles."

Gaskill's first episode for The Bold and the Beautiful will air on the CBS Network on September 11. He will also continue to appear as "Rafe" on the recently cancelled "Port Charles" until Oct. 3, thereby making him one of the few actors to appear simultaneously on two separate networks.

The Bold and the Beautiful, now into its 17th season on the CBS network, was recently honored by Soap Opera Digest as Best Show for 2002. The series was created in 1987 by television legends Bill and Lee Bell. Their son Bradley Bell now sets the course for B&B, which is viewed daily by an estimated 300 million viewers in over 100 countries, making it the most-watched television series in the world.